System and method for offering multiple products

ABSTRACT

A system and method for a supplier to offer multiple new products to a first person and multiple pre-owned products to a second person are disclosed. The invention includes a method wherein the supplier receives a request from the first person for a first new product. After accepting the first new product, the supplier stores data identifying the first person and data relating to the first new product in a memory of a computer. Thereafter, the second person queries the supplier about a pre-owned product. The supplier searches the memory of the computer to determine whether the data relating to the first new product satisfies the second person&#39;s inquiry for the pre-owned product. If so, the supplier transmits an offer for a second new product to the first person based on the data identifying the first person. If the offer is acceptable to the first person, the supplier provides the second new product to the first person and the pre-owned product to the second person.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/260,439, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,390, entitled “System andMethod for Reselling a Previously Sold Product,” filed on Mar. 2, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system and method forfacilitating the transfer and tracking of a multiple number of productsreceived by customers, and more particularly, to a system and method fora supplier to offer multiple new products to initial purchasers andmultiple pre-owned products to subsequent purchasers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous inefficiencies that hinder the sale of new and usedproducts today. The inefficiencies affect various marketplaceparticipants such as consumers of new products, consumers of pre-ownedproducts, and product suppliers. The affects include: (i) reducing theability of consumers of new products from readily disposing ofpreviously purchased products so that they may obtain the newestproducts available on the market; (ii) impeding consumers of pre-ownedproducts from having access to the widest selection and highest qualitypre-owned products on the market; and (iii) impeding product suppliersfrom maximizing their resources.

With respect to consumers of new products, a number of these consumersprefer to own products that incorporate the latest technology or thelatest fashion. However, because manufacturers are continuallyintroducing new products to the market that incorporate ever improvedtechnology or fashion, products that are relatively new often become“outdated” within a few years or even a few months.

In addition, other consumers of new products will purchase products thatfulfill their immediate needs, but become inadequate to serve thoseneeds after a relatively short period of time. As an example, consider aconsumer who utilizes specialized software in their business. After aperiod of time, the manufacturer of the software will release newrevisions of the software that incorporate important changes infunctionality. For the software to operate properly, however, thesoftware requires a computer with more memory or computing power. Inorder to remain competitive, the consumer is forced to purchase the newrevision of the software and, consequently, must upgrade to a newcomputer system. Upgrading the computer system of even a small businesscan necessitate the spending of many thousands of dollars to purchaseseveral personal computers, network hardware, and computer servers.

Furthermore, consumers will often purchase new products that becomeunnecessary to them because of a change in their circumstances. Forexample, a consumer may initially purchase a riding lawn mower formaintaining the lawn of a particular property. Thereafter, the consumermay move to a residence having a smaller lawn or no lawn at all. In sucha situation, the consumer may decide to sell the riding lawn mower. Inthis situation, the sale of the product is typically difficult toaccomplish, and often results in the receipt of an unsatisfactory pricefor the product.

To obviate the above-described problems confronting consumers of newproducts, such consumers may obtain new products through, for example,lease agreements. Lease agreements provide consumers the advantage ofbeing able to return the product to the lessor after a predeterminedamount of time. A disadvantage of lease agreements, however, is thatthey provide little flexibility to consumers. For example, the timeperiod in which a consumer can ultimately purchase the product and theamount to be paid therefor are typically fixed. In addition, theconsumer typically gains no equity in the product and, therefore,receives no “credit” for the product when it is returned to the lessor.

An alternate way in which consumers of new products attempt to obviatethe above-described problems is by finding purchasers for theirpre-owned products so they can sell the unwanted products themselves.Thereafter, if consumers so choose, they can purchase a replacementproduct. A disadvantage of this alternative is that it is difficult tofind purchasers that are willing and able to purchase pre-ownedproducts. Yet another alternative is for consumers of new products toforego purchasing new products altogether and deal with their need inanother way. Consumers can pay a service to perform the tasks that thenew products would have performed. For example, a consumer may decidenot to upgrade to a higher quality washer/drier because the initial costis high. Instead he may opt to take clothing to a professional drycleaner/launderer. Even though the professional service is moreexpensive in the long run, the consumer saves himself from the largeinitial cost.

Consumers of pre-owned products often prefer to purchase pre-ownedproducts because they either lack the need for the latest technology,they are thrifty, or they are unable to afford the higher costsassociated with purchasing new products. As noted above, consumers ofpre-owned products do not readily gain access to the widest selectionand highest quality products on the market. Therefore, they do not getthe best deals that would otherwise be available to them if they hadsuch access. In addition, because of the present inefficiencies intransferring pre-owned products from their original owners to theconsumers of pre-owned products, any warranty coverage that may beassociated with a pre-owned product is significantly reduced or evenlost altogether.

Regarding retailers, although they are probably in the best position topenetrate the market for which they have products, they often fall shortin maximizing the potential of this position. This is due in large partto their inefficient use of valuable information concerning theircustomers in their daily business operations.

In an attempt to remedy some of the problems described above, Gateway2000 (N. Sioux City, S. Dak.) has started a program entitledYour:)Ware^(sm). This program allows a consumer to purchase a newGateway computer today and, after between two and four years, trade inthe computer for credit toward another new Gateway computer. To qualifyfor the program, a customer must either commit to six months ofGateway's Internet service, add one or more extra software bundles, orfinance the purchase through Gateway's financing plan. This approach islacking in that it provides only a single two-year period in which acustomer can purchase a new computer and trade in the old one. Inaddition, customers can buy and trade in only Gateway computers.

Another system which may remedy some of the problems described above isfound in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,265 to Woolston (“'265 patent”). The '265patent discloses a method and apparatus for creating a computerizedmarket for pre-owned and collectible goods. The method and apparatusincludes a plurality of posting terminals networked with a consignmentnode. The consignment node includes a database of pre-owned goods. Thesystem purports to allow the purchaser to purchase a pre-owned good,change the price of the good, and resell the good through theconsignment node. The '265 patent, however, does not provide anefficient system wherein consumers may readily dispose of previouslypurchased products so that they may obtain the newest products availableon the market.

An auction service that allows consumers to bid against consumers is theInternet site eBay™ operated by eBay, Inc. (San Jose, Calif.). Theauctions in eBay™ last from three (3) to seven (7) days. Participantsmust register with eBay Inc. Just as traditional auctions operate, theauctioned item goes to the highest bidder. The highest bidder and theseller contact each other directly after the auction is over to finalizethe purchase. The system provided by eBay's™ is lacking because it alsofails to provide an efficient system wherein consumers may readilydispose of previously purchased products so that they may obtain thenewest products available on the market. In addition, because theconsumers must contact each other to finalize the sale, eBay™ does notmaintain control of the immediate transaction or any future transactionsthat evolve therefrom.

The above described attempts fall short of eliminating the numerousinefficiencies in the marketplace that must be confronted by consumersof new products, consumers of pre-owned products, and suppliers ofproducts. Thus, there is a need for a system and method that will solvethe shortcomings of the prior art described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for asupplier to offer multiple products to a first person. The systemincludes a memory for storing data relating to a first product that hasbeen provided to the first person and data identifying the first person.The system also includes a processor that is in communication with thememory. The processor is programmed to store the data relating to thefirst product and the data identifying the first person in the memory;receive an inquiry relating to the first product from a second person;search the memory to determine whether the data relating to the firstproduct is stored therein; and transmit an offer for a second product tothe first person based on the data identifying the first person.

The processor may be further programmed to receive data relating to anagreement between the supplier and the first purchaser, the agreementrelating to the providing of the first product to the first person,wherein the agreement is selected from at least one of a leaseagreement, a finance purchase agreement, and an outright purchaseagreement.

The processor may also be programmed to receive data relating to anagreement between the supplier and the first purchaser, which providesthat the supplier is to offer the first person the second product. Theagreement may provide a time period within which the supplier willtransmit the offer for the second product to the first person. Inaddition, the agreement may provide a description of the second productthat the supplier will offer. Furthermore, the agreement may providethat the first person will obtain the second product for an amount equalto a cost of the second product minus a fair market value of the firstproduct, wherein the fair market value of the first product isdetermined by a third party.

The data that relates to the first product may specify a manufacturer,physical characteristics, model, and product identifier of the firstproduct. And the data identifying the first person may be selected fromat least one of a name, address, telephone number, e-mail address,and/or product identifier of the first person.

The processor may be further programmed to evaluate the availability ofthe first product. The availability of the first product may be affectedby: (i) an agreement between the supplier and the first person thatdescribes a time period within which the first person may be contactedin order to receive the offer; (ii) the availability, e.g., is theproduct ready to be delivered, of the second product; and/or (iii) thecost of the second product.

Further features of the system and method of the subject invention willbecome more readily apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subjectinvention pertains will more readily understand how to make and use thesystem and method described herein, preferred embodiments of theinvention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network enabling a supplier to offer amultiple of products to purchasers;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a server;

FIG. 3 is a sample table of data from an initial purchaser file arrangedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sample table of data from a pre-owned products file arrangedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sample table of data from an agreement terms file arrangedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sample table of data from a new product file arranged inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sample table of data from a subsequent purchaser filearranged in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sample table of data from a sought-after product filearranged in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart depicting a product cycle pursuant to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting the logical flow of a subroutineenabling an initial purchaser to purchase a new product in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart depicting the logical flow of a subroutineenabling a subsequent purchaser to submit an inquiry for a pre-ownedproduct and an offer to purchase a pre-owned product in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting the logical flow of a subroutine forevaluating and processing the final sale of a new product to an initialpurchaser and a pre-owned product to a subsequent purchaser inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a network enabling a supplier to offer amultiple of products, wherein a server supervisor operates a server;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to the accompanying Figures for the purpose ofdescribing, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention. The Figures and accompanying detailed description areprovided as examples of the invention and are not intended to limit thescope of the claims appended hereto.

The present invention provides a novel and unique system and method fora supplier to provide a multiple number of new products to a firstperson. The present invention also provides a system and method for thesupplier to provide a market for products that are in the first person'spossession when he is interested in getting rid of them. Further, thepresent invention provides a convenient and efficient system and methodfor a second person to inquire about, and ultimately purchase, productsowned by the first person.

For the description that follows, the term “supplier” shall refer to aparty who provides a product to a purchaser. The supplier may be, forexample, a retailer, wholesaler, or manufacturer of goods or provider ofservices. Also, the term “initial purchaser” shall refer a party whoobtains a new product from a supplier. In addition, the term “pre-ownedproduct” shall refer to a product that is in the possession of theinitial purchaser for a period of time. Further, the term “subsequentpurchaser” shall refer to a party who obtains a pre-owned product. Itshould be noted that although product transfers from the supplier to theinitial purchaser and from the supplier to the subsequent purchaser mayinclude various types of agreements, for example, lease agreements andfinance purchase agreements, product transfers will be described belowas sales and purchases. Doing so simplifies the description of thepreferred embodiments of the present invention.

In addition, the term “fair market value” shall refer generally to theprice at which a product would sell for in an open market. Examples ofterms synonymous with fair market value include actual cash value,actual value, cash market value, fair cash value, and reasonable marketvalue. Still further, the “cost” of a product shall refer to the price apurchaser may pay for the product to acquire it, whether paying by, forexample, cash or credit.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identifysimilar elements of the present invention, there is illustrated in FIG.1 a block diagram depicting a computer network system 10 for enabling asupplier to provide multiple products to purchasers. System 10 includesa server 12, which is operated by a supplier 14 of certain types ofproducts. The server 12 is a general-purpose network server who includesapplication programs and databases to support various transactionsbetween the supplier 14 and the supplier's customers. The supplier maybe a vendor of any number or type of consumer products, for example,computers, software, cars, books, camping equipment, etc. In addition,the supplier can be a supplier of various services, for example,equipment maintenance, security, cleaning services, etc.

Linked to the server 12, via network 24, are one or more clients 16operated by initial purchasers 18 and one or more clients 20 operated bysubsequent purchasers 22. For example, server 12 is linked, via network24, to client 16(1) which is operated by initial purchaser 18(1) and toclient 20(1) which is operated by subsequent purchaser 22(1). Clients 16and clients 20 may comprise a conventional personal computer, such asthose based on the Intel® Pentium® microprocessor, or a Palm VII®wireless hand-held organizer by Palm Computing®. Clients 16 and 20 maybe linked to the server 12 through any conventional networking 24 means.Those skilled in the art recognize that various embodiments of a network24 means include, but are not limited to, a connection to the Internetvia modems and Internet host, a direct Internet connection via routers,hard-wired point-to-point connections, radio communications, opticalcommunications, and combinations of the aforementioned.

An embodiment of the present invention includes initial purchaser 18(1)purchasing a first product from the supplier 14 and registering thepurchase with the supplier 14. As part of the purchase, initialpurchaser 18(1) agrees to accept offers for a second new product inexchange for turning in the first new product. Alternately, the initialpurchaser 18 may agree to turn in the first new product after an agreedupon or predetermined period of time.

The information pertaining to this transaction is entered into adatabase in a memory (not shown) of the server 12.

The embodiment further includes the subsequent purchaser 22(1) making anoffer to or querying the database of the server 12 to determine if apre-owned product, for example, the first product owned by the initialpurchaser, matches a product he desires/needs. If a match is foundbetween the desired/needed pre-owned product and, for example, the firstproduct owned by the initial purchaser, and the predetermined period oftime has passed, the supplier 14 may offer the initial purchaser 18(1)the second product. If the initial purchaser 18(1) accepts the offer,the initial purchaser 18(1) provides the pre-owned product to thesupplier 14 and purchases the second product for, for example, the priceof the second product minus the current fair market value of thepre-owned product. The subsequent purchaser 22(1) then purchases thepre-owned product from the supplier 14. The subsequent purchaser 22 mayregister the purchase of the first product with the supplier, as theinitial purchaser 18 did. Further details of the above-described methodand apparatus are provided below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, server 12 is shown in communication with client16(1) operated by initial purchaser 18(1) and client 20(1) operated bysubsequent purchaser 22(1) through network 24. The server 12 includes aprocessor unit 46, which executes application programs of the presentinvention. Processor 46 may comprise one or more conventionalmicroprocessors, such as the Intel® Pentium II® microprocessor. Server12 also includes a read only memory 48 (ROM) and a random access memory50 (RAM), collectively referred to herein as memory. The ROM 48 may beused to store at least some of the program instructions of theapplication programs that are to be executed by the processor 46, suchas portions of the operating system. The RAM 50 is used for temporarystorage of data. A clock circuit 52 provides a clock signal, which maybe required for proper operation of the processor 46.

A video monitor 54 is in communication with the processor 46 via a videodriver 56 for conveying information to, for example, a server operator.While the video monitor 54 is typically a cathode ray tube (CRT), othertypes of video display devices, including liquid crystal displays, lightemitting diodes, and thin film transistor panels, may be used as well.An input device 57 is in communication with the processor 46 to enablethe server operator to enter data into the server 12. Any of a widevariety of input devices would be suitable for this purpose, including,for example, keyboards, mice, and touch screens. The server 12 furtherincludes a communication port 58 which enables the processor 46 tocommunicate with devices external to the server 12 (e.g. client 16(1)and client 20(1)) through the network 24.

The processor 46 stores information to, and reads information from, astorage device 59. The storage device 59 has database files 60 storedthereon including an initial purchaser file 61, pre-owned product file62, agreement terms file 63, new product file 64, subsequent purchaserfile 65, and a sought-after product file 66. In addition, the storagedevice 59 includes application programs 70 stored thereon including aninitial purchaser originating subroutine 71, subsequent purchaserinquiry and offer subroutine 72, and the final sale subroutine 73. Theapplication programs 70 retrieve data from the database files 60 asnecessary to perform the transactions described herein. While FIG. 2depicts database files 60 and application programs 70 of particulartypes, those skilled in the art will recognize that various other typesof files and application programs may be created that conform to thepresent invention.

FIGS. 3 through 8 illustrate sample tables for organizing the datastored in the database files 60 (FIG. 2). The database files 61, 62, 63,64, 65 and 66 are described in detail below and depicted with exemplaryentries in the accompanying figures. As will be understood by thoseskilled in the art, the schematic illustrations and accompanyingdescriptions of the database files presented herein are exemplaryarrangements for stored representations of information. A number ofother arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by the tablesshown. Similarly, the illustrated entries of the database filesrepresent exemplary information, and those skilled in the art willunderstand that the number and content of the entries can be differentfrom those illustrated herein.

Referring to FIG. 3, a sample initial purchaser table 80 is illustrated,which includes sample data from the initial purchaser file 61 stored instorage device 59 (FIG. 2). Table 80 includes information about initialpurchasers 18 collected at the time each initial purchaser 18 registereda sale with the supplier 14. This would typically occur when an initialpurchaser 18 purchases a new product from the supplier 14; however, aninitial purchaser 18 may purchase a new product from a third party and,thereafter, register the sale with the supplier 14.

The initial purchaser table 80 includes records (3R1 through 3R4) foreach initial purchaser 18. A purchaser identifier field (field 3C1) isincluded in table 80.

The purchaser identifier 3C1 uniquely identifies an initial purchaser18. Each record 3R1 through 3R4 further includes a field for the name ofeach initial purchaser (field 3C2), and fields for each initialpurchaser's address (field 3C3), telephone number (field 3C4), e-mailaddress (field 3C5), preferred method for being contacted (field 3C6),agreement term codes (field 3C7), and the date of purchase of the newproduct (field 3C8). As will be become more apparent below, identifyingeach initial purchaser 18 by a unique identifier facilitates anonymitybetween initial purchasers 18 and subsequent purchasers 22.

Referring to FIG. 4, a sample pre-owned product table 82 is illustrated,which includes sample data from the pre-owned product file 62 stored instorage device 59 (FIG. 2). Table 82 includes information about theproducts that were purchased and are presently in the possession of theinitial purchasers 18 listed in table 80.

Each record 4R1 through 4R4 includes a field for the purchaseridentifier (field 4C1) that uniquely identifies the initial purchaser ofthe product identified in each record of the pre-owned product table 82.The initial purchaser identifiers of the table 82 correspond to theinitial purchaser identifiers of the table 80. The pre-owned producttable 82 further includes a field for the make (field 4C2), model (field4C3), year (field 4C4), and various attributes (field 4C5) of eachproduct. Also, a field is included (4C6) indicating the approximate datethat a product is likely to be available for purchase. Using purchaseridentifiers enables the supplier 14 to correlate the records in theinitial purchaser table 80 with the records in the pre-owned producttable 82 while preventing the subsequent purchasers 22 from learning theidentity of the initial purchasers 18 associated with each product.

More specifically, initial purchaser “3CI” is presently in possession ofa 1998 SAAB 9-5 4R1 and initial purchaser B. Willis “3CI” is presentlyin possession of a 1997 SAAB 9-3 SE 4R2. The pre-owned products table 82is viewable by subsequent purchasers 22 on clients 20 that are linked toserver 12. This allows the subsequent purchasers 22 to determine thetypes of products that will be available and when each particularproduct will become available. Referring to FIG. 5, a sample agreementterms table 84 is illustrated and includes sample data from theagreement terms file 63 stored in storage device 59 (FIG. 2). The table84 correlates agreement term codes, for example, “A”, “B”, “C”, etc.,which identify exemplary standard terms that initial purchasers 18 mayagree to with the supplier 14. As described above when describing theinitial purchaser table 80, each initial purchaser 18 has one or moreagreement term codes correlated with their record (3C7).

The agreement terms table 84 includes a field for the agreement termcode (5C1) and a field for the corresponding agreement terms (5C2). Eachagreement term record 5R1 through 5R9, therefore, includes an agreementterm code and an agreement term. The agreement term records arecategorized by their type. In the embodiment illustrated, there are twoagreement terms categories—“time period”, and “product information”. The“time period” category indicates the time period after which thesupplier 14 is to contact the initial purchaser 18. The “productinformation” category indicates the information that the supplier 14 isto provide the initial purchaser 18 after the indicated “time period”.Various other categories can be included.

An example of the use of the agreement terms table 84 follows. Referringto FIGS. 3–5, initial purchaser “C1I” has agreed to terms “A” and “J”with the supplier 14, as illustrated by field 3C7 in record 3R1 of FIG.3. Terms “A” and “J” provide that the supplier 14 is to contact initialpurchaser “C1I” “anytime” with information on a new product that is thenext year of the same make and model of the pre-owned product initialpurchaser “C1I” currently owns, as indicated by record 5R1 and record5R7 of FIG. 5. Therefore, because initial purchaser “C1I” currently ownsa 1998 SAAB 9-5 as indicated by record 4R1 of FIG. 4, the supplier 14may call him when the 1999 model becomes available. At that time,initial purchaser “C1I” may be obligated by the agreement with thesupplier 14 to purchase the 1999 SAAB 9-5.

Another example of the use of the agreement terms table 84 follows. Withcontinued reference to FIGS. 3-5, initial purchaser “C2I” has agreed toterms “D” and “L” with the supplier 14, as indicated by record 3R2 ofFIG. 3. Terms “D” and “L” provide that the supplier 14 is to contactinitial purchaser “C21” “1½ years” after the purchase of the pre-ownedproduct that the initial purchaser currently owns (5R2), i.e., afterNov. 12, 1998, with information on a new year product of a differentmake and model, as indicated by records 5R1 and 5R9. The make and modelof the product can also be specified in the agreement. Therefore,because initial purchaser “C2I” currently owns a 1997 SAAB 9-3 SE asindicated in record 4R2 of table 82, the supplier 14 may call after Nov.12, 1998 and offer him, for example, a 1998 Lexus 300. At that time,initial purchaser “C21” may be obligated to purchase the 1998 Lexus 300.This may depend on the earlier agreement between the initial purchaserand the supplier 14.

Referring to FIG. 6, a sample new product table 86 is illustrated andincludes sample data from the new product file 64 stored in storagedevice 59 (FIG. 2). Table 86 includes information about new productsthat are available for purchase. The information may be supplied by thesupplier 14. The new product table 86 is viewable by initial purchasers18 operating clients 16 that are linked to server 12 via network 24.This enables initial purchasers 18 to determine the new products thatare available for purchase. Each record 6R1 through 6R5 of table 86includes a field indicating the number of products that are available,for example, “in stock”, and ready to be purchased (field 6C1). The newproduct table 86 further includes fields for the make (6C2), model(6C3), year (6C4), and multiple fields for the various attributes (6C5)of each product. Referring to FIG. 7, a sample subsequent purchasertable 88 is illustrated and includes sample data from subsequentpurchaser file 65 stored in storage device 59 (FIG. 2). Table 88includes information about subsequent purchasers 22 that have inquiredas to the availability of particular pre-owned products.

The subsequent purchaser table 88 includes a record for each subsequentpurchaser (records 7R1 through 7R4). Each record 7R1 through 7R4 furtherincludes a field for the name of each subsequent purchaser (field 7C2),and fields for each subsequent purchaser's address (field 7C3),telephone number (field 7C4), e-mail address (field 7C5), and preferredmethod for being contacted (field 7C6). Each record 7R1 through 7R4includes a subsequent purchaser identifier field (7C1) The subsequentpurchaser identifier 7C 1 uniquely identifies the subsequent purchaserthat inquired as to the availability of a pre-owned product. For asimilar reason to that delineated above in the description of the uniqueinitial purchaser identifiers (3C1), identifying each subsequentpurchaser 22 by a unique subsequent purchaser identifier facilitatesanonymity between initial purchasers 18 and subsequent purchasers 22.

Referring to FIG. 8, a sample sought-after product table 90 isillustrated and includes sample data from sought-after product file 66stored in storage device 59 (FIG. 2). Table 90 includes information onthe products that subsequent purchasers 22, which are identified in thesubsequent purchaser table 88, have inquired about. The subsequentpurchaser identifiers of table 90 correspond to the subsequent purchaseridentifiers of table 88. In addition, the sought-after product table 90is viewable by initial purchasers 18 operating clients 16, which arelinked to server 12 via network 24. This enables initial purchasers tobetter understand the market for their pre-owned products.

Each record 8R1 through 8R4 includes a field for the subsequentpurchaser identifier (field 8C1). Using subsequent purchaser identifiersallows the supplier 14 to correlate the records in the subsequentpurchaser table 88 with the records in the sought-after product table 90while preventing the initial purchasers 18 from learning the identity ofthe subsequent purchasers 22 associated with each sought-after product.The sought-after product table 90 includes a field for the make (field8C2), model (field 8C3), year (field 8C4), and various attributes (field8C5) of each sought-after product. From the above it is readilyunderstood, for example, that record 8R1 indicates that subsequentpurchaser “7C1” is seeking an evil blue 1998 SAAB 9-5 and that record8R2 indicates that subsequent purchaser “C2S” is seeking a blue 1997SAAB 9-3 SE.

It is noted that although automobiles are used in describing the tablesillustrated in FIGS. 3–8, those skilled in the art will recognize thatany other type of product, service, and combinations thereof, can beused to practice the invention described herein. In addition, variousother agreement terms can be agreed to, for example, certain financialterms, product categories from which a purchaser must select a product,time limits within which an initial purchaser 18 must purchase aproduct, etc.

The following figures describe the various processes of the presentinvention. As described herein, the steps performed by supplier 14 maybe performed by or in conjunction with server 12. Similarly, the stepsperformed by initial purchaser 18 may be performed by client 16 and thesteps performed by subsequent purchaser 22 may be performed by client 20as practicable.

Referring to FIG. 9, a flow chart illustrates an embodiment of themethod of the present invention. Initially, at subroutine 71, an initialpurchaser 18(1) queries a supplier 14 about a particular type of newproduct. The supplier 14 processes the query in accordance with thedesires of the initial purchaser 18. If acceptable, the initialpurchaser 18 purchases the product and registers with the supplier 14.Registration information may include financing terms. For example, asupplier may offer to extend the number of payments that a purchasermight make on a subsequent item purchased the same as for the initialitem purchased, but not increase the amount he must pay. Or the suppliermay offer to keep the number of payments for a subsequent purchase thesame as for the initial purchase, but increase the payment amount. Theinitial purchaser may make an offer to the supplier that the suppliermay accept, reject or counter offer. The registration information isentered into the initial purchaser table 80 (FIG. 3) and pre-ownedproduct table 82 (FIG. 4).

Thereafter, at subroutine 72, a subsequent purchaser 22(1) queries thesupplier 14 about the availability of a particular type of pre-ownedproduct or queries with an offer for a pre-owned product or theavailable price for a particular type of a product. The subsequentpurchaser 22 may query the supplier via client 16. The supplier 14searches the pre-owned product table 82 (FIG. 4) via server 12. If amatch is made between the subsequent purchaser's query and a product inthe pre-owned product table 82, the supplier 14 via server 12 generatesand forwards an offer to the initial purchaser 18 of the pre-ownedproduct that includes an offer for the initial purchaser 18 to purchasea second new product. At subroutine 73, the supplier 14 pursues a finalagreement with the initial purchaser 18 to return the pre-owned productand purchase the second new product and a final agreement with thesubsequent purchaser 22(1) to purchase the pre-owned product.

Referring to FIG. 10, a flow chart illustrates the steps of subroutine71 wherein an initial purchaser (18) queries the supplier 14 about aproduct. At step 100, the initial purchaser 18 operating client 16electronically accesses the files of the supplier server 12 via network24 and browses new product table 86 (FIG. 6) to view various types ofnew products carried by the supplier. The initial purchaser 18 thenqueries the supplier 14 for a particular product. The query isessentially an offer to purchase a particular product from the supplierand includes basic personal information about the initial purchaser, adescription of the product the initial purchaser desires to purchase,and the price therefor.

At step 102, the supplier 14, upon receipt of the initial purchaser'squery, provides the initial purchaser 18 a selection of agreement termsfrom the agreement terms table 84 (FIG. 5). The offer may be tailored tofit the particular initial purchaser's needs based on, for example, thepersonal information initially submitted by the initial purchaser,historical data accumulated through prior dealings with the particularinitial purchaser or with initial purchasers sharing a similarbackground, etc.

At step 104, the supplier 14 receives from the initial purchaser 18 aresponse to the offer and determines whether the terms were accepted. Ifthe terms were not accepted by the initial purchaser 18, then thesupplier 14 processes a sale of the product to the initial purchaser 18in a conventional manner at step 108.

If the terms were accepted by the initial purchaser 18, then, at step106, the supplier 14 processes the sale in accordance with the termsaccepted by the initial purchaser 18. At step 110, the supplier 14records the information about the initial purchaser 18 and the agreementin the initial purchaser table 80 (FIG. 3) and records the informationabout the product in the pre-owned product table 82 (FIG. 4).

Referring to FIG. 11, a flow chart illustrates the steps of subroutine72 wherein a subsequent purchaser 22 queries a supplier 14 about theavailability of a pre-owned product. At step 200, the subsequentpurchaser 20 electronically accesses via network 24 the files of thesupplier 14 on the server 12 and browses pre-owned product table 82(FIG. 4). The subsequent purchaser 22 then submits a query to thesupplier 14 for a pre-owned product. The query is essentially an offerto purchase a particular pre-owned product from the supplier 14 andincludes basic personal information about the subsequent purchaser 22, adescription of the pre-owned product that the subsequent purchaser 22desires to purchase, and the price therefor.

At step 202, the supplier 14, upon receipt of the subsequent purchaserquery, searches the database files 60 to determine if the pre-ownedproduct is available. More specifically, the supplier 14 searches theinitial purchaser table 80 (FIG. 3), the pre-owned product table 82(FIG. 4), and the agreement terms table 84 (FIG. 5) to determine if thepre-owned product that is sought by the subsequent purchaser 22 islisted, which initial purchaser 18 is presently in possession of thepre-owned product, and the terms of the agreement between the initialpurchaser 18 and the supplier 14. From the above, it is understood thatthe determination of whether a pre-owned product is “available” mayrequire that a number of criteria are satisfied.

At step 204, if it is determined that there is a match, i.e., that thepre-owned product desired by the subsequent purchaser 22 is available,then, at step 206, the supplier 14 records the information about thesubsequent purchaser 22 in the subsequent purchaser table 88 (FIG. 7)and records the information about the desired pre-owned product in thesought-after product table 90 (FIG. 8). At step 208, the supplier 14generates and forwards to the initial purchaser 18 in possession of thepre-owned product an offer to purchase a second product and return thepre-owned product for a credit equaling its fair market value. The offermay also include terms wherein the initial purchaser 18 would agree topurchase a third product after a predetermined amount of time. It isforeseen that other terms can be incorporated into the offer and areconsidered to be a part of the present invention.

If, at step 204, it is determined that there is not a match, i.e., thatthe pre-owned product desired by the subsequent purchaser 22 is notavailable, then, at step 210, the supplier 14 reports the results of thesearch to the subsequent purchaser22 and queries whether the subsequentpurchaser 22 desires to submit a second inquiry for a pre-owned product.At step 212, if the subsequent purchaser 22 does not desire to submit asecond query, then, at step 214, the supplier 14 records the informationabout the subsequent purchaser 22 in the subsequent purchaser table 88(FIG. 7) and records the information about the desired pre-owned productin the sought-after product table 90 (FIG. 8). If the subsequentpurchaser 22 does desire to submit a second inquiry, then, at step 200,the subsequent purchaser 22 may access the files of the supplier 14 onthe server 12 and browse pre-owned product table 82 (FIG. 4), choose adifferent pre-owned product, and submit a second query to the supplierfor the different pre-owned product, as described above.

Referring to FIG. 12, a flow chart illustrates the steps of subroutine73 wherein a response to the offer provided to the initial purchaser 18is evaluated and responded to accordingly. At step 300, the supplier 14receives the response from the initial purchaser 18 regarding the offerto purchase a second new product. The response is evaluated to determinewhether or not the initial purchaser 18 accepts the offer. At step 302,if the initial purchaser 18 does not accept the offer, the supplier 14may then, at step 208 (FIG. 11), generate and forward to the initialpurchaser 18 a second offer including alternative terms that may be moreappealing to the initial purchaser 18.

If, at step 302, the initial purchaser 18 does accept the offer, thesupplier 14 determines, at step 304, the condition of the pre-ownedproduct and its fair market value. In order to evaluate the fair marketvalue of the pre-owned product, the supplier 14 may conduct theevaluation itself or have a third party determine the fair market value.For example, if the pre-owned product is an automobile or recreationalvehicle, the supplier 14 may utilize the expertise of Kelley Blue Book,Inc. (Los Angeles, Calif.). As another example, if the pre-owned productis computer, musical, or audio equipment, the supplier 14 may utilizethe services of Orion Research Corp. (Scottsdale, Ariz.). Alternately,the supplier 14 accepts offers from the subsequent purchaser 22, and ifthe offer satisfies the initial purchaser and the supplier, the offerwould stand as the fair market value for the item.

At step 306, the supplier 14 generates and forwards to the subsequentpurchaser 22 an offer to purchase the pre-owned product from thesupplier 14. The supplier 14 includes with the offer the detailed reportcovering the condition of the pre-owned product. Providing this reportenables the subsequent purchaser 22 to make an educated choice regardingwhether to purchase the pre-owned product.

If, at step 308, the subsequent purchaser 22 does not accept the offer,the subsequent purchaser 22, at step 310, is given the opportunity tosubmit another query for a pre-owned product. If the subsequentpurchaser 22 does desire to submit another query, then, at step 200(FIG. 11), the subsequent purchaser 22 accesses the files of thesupplier 14 on the server 12 and browses pre-owned product table 82(FIG. 4), chooses a different pre-owned product, and submits anotherquery to the supplier for the pre-owned product. If the subsequentpurchaser 22 does not desire to submit another query, then thesubroutine 73 is ended.

If, at step 308, the subsequent purchaser 22 does accept the offer, thesupplier 14, at step 312, completes the sale of the product with theinitial purchaser 18 and completes the sale of the pre-owned productwith the subsequent purchaser 22. At step 314, the supplier 14 updatesthe entries regarding initial purchaser 18 in the initial purchasertable 80 (FIG. 3) and the pre-owned product table 82 (FIG. 4). Inaddition, the supplier 14 updates the entries regarding the subsequentpurchaser 22 in the subsequent purchaser table 88 (FIG. 7) and thesought-after product table 90 (FIG. 8). The updates reflect theabove-described transaction.

Although the subroutines disclosed herein are illustrated and describedas having particular steps and particular sequences for the steps, itshould be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that thesubroutines may include additional/fewer steps and may be rearranged andstill encompass the concepts taught by the present invention. Forexample, a query (FIG. 11, step 200) from a subsequent purchaser 22 maybe received prior to recording relevant information about an initialpurchaser 18 (FIG. 10, step 110). Also, the fair market value of apre-owned product may be determined periodically after an agreement ismade between an initial purchaser 18 and a supplier 14 instead of afteran offer to purchase a second new product is accepted by an initialpurchaser 18 (FIG. 12, step 304).

Referring to FIG. 13, another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated in block diagram form and includes a network system 30. Thenetwork system 30 includes server 34, which is operated by a serversupervisor 32. The server 34 is a server substantially similar to server12 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The serversupervisor 32 may be, for example, an entity that is wholly dedicated tothe operation of the server 34 of a World Wide Web site, or a creditorentity capable of providing loans to finance transactions conductedthereon, such as the server of a credit card issuing bank.

Linked to the server 34 through network 24 are one or more clients 16operated by the initial purchasers 18 and one or more clients 20operated by the subsequent purchasers 22 as described above in FIG. 1.Also linked to the server 34 through network 24 are one or more clients36 operated by retailers 38 and one or more clients 40 operated bywholesalers 42. Clients 36 and 40 may link to the server 34 in anyconventional manner.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the server supervisor 32may be an online web site that facilitates the sale of items, and isconfigured to sell products to initial purchasers, and receive requestsfor previously purchased items from subsequent purchasers 22. The serversupervisor 32 receives offers from potential subsequent purchasers foritems previously sold to initial purchasers18. The server supervisor 32contacts initial purchasers 18 with offers to use the above describedpurchase program to purchase a subsequent item. The initial purchasermust ship, deliver, or give over to a retailer 38 or a subsequentpurchaser 22 the initially purchased item. He then receives a new item,either receiving a shipped item, or purchasing and picking up the itemfrom a retailer 38 according the terms of the purchase program. Thisretailer may be the same entity that the initial purchaser 18 deliversor ships the initial purchase to, if he ships or delivers the initiallypurchased item to a retailer 38. The subsequent purchaser 22 eitherreceives or picks up the initially purchased item from an initialpurchaser or the retailer an initial purchaser delivered or shipped theitem to, and may register the item with the web site so that he may alsoreceive offers to resell as apart of the purchase program.

Including wholesalers 42 in the network system 30 provides substantialadvantages to both the retailers 38 and the wholesalers 42. For example,wholesalers 42 may provide retailers 38 updated information regardingprice changes, new product models, and enhancements to existing or newmodels of products. Such Information may be stored in the new productfield 64. Wholesalers 42 may provide descriptions of features for newproducts, and upgrades for older ones to the retailer 38. A computersoftware manufacturer, for example, might contact a retailer to providehim with information about features in the upcoming product line. Theretailer 38 would use this information to entice initial purchasers 18of compatible products to participate in the above described purchaseprogram by notifying them of new products the manufacturer will beoffering in the future. Retailers may in turn provide wholesalers withinvaluable marketing information such as purchasing trends, and gathereddemand for the upcoming products.

Alternately, wholesalers 42 may interact directly with initialpurchasers 18, for example, by directly supplying them new productsusing the above described system and method. In addition, a manufacturercan act as a wholesaler and interact with the retailers 38 or interactdirectly with the initial purchasers 18.

In another embodiment of the present invention server supervisor 32 maybe a credit card issuing bank, or a financing bank for suppliers ofcertain items. For example the server 32 may be the financing bank for acomputer retailer 38, which tracks initial purchasers 18 of computerhardware. When a subsequent purchaser 22 requests an item that thefinancing bank 32 has sold to an initial purchaser, the financing bank32 contacts the initial purchaser 18 and offers another item to theinitial purchaser according to the terms described in the aboveinvention.

It is clear from the foregoing disclosure that the present system andmethod for offering multiple products provides an advancement in the artof product acquisition and distribution. The system and method allowsconsumers of new products to possess products that incorporate thelatest technology or the latest fashion or to possess products thatfulfill their immediate needs. In addition, the system and methodenables consumers of new products to readily dispose of products thatthey do not want because of a change in their circumstances. Also, thesystem and method allows consumers of pre-owned products to have accessto a wide selection of high quality pre-owned products. Furthermore, thesystem and method allows suppliers of new and pre-owned products andservices to maximize the unique position that they hold in themarketplace.

While the invention has been described with respect to various specificembodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciated thatvarious modifications, changes, and enhancements may be made theretowithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

1. A method for a supplier to offer a second product to a first person,comprising: storing data relating to a first product that has beenprovided to the first person and data identifying the first person in amemory of a computer; receiving an inquiry relating to the first productfrom a second person; searching, based on the inquiry, the memory todetermine whether the data relating to the first product is storedtherein; and transmitting, from the supplier and to the first personbased on the data identifying the first person, an offer to exchange thefirst product for a second product.
 2. A method as recited in claim 1,further comprising the step of the supplier making an agreement with thefirst person, the agreement relating to the providing of the firstproduct to the first person, wherein the agreement is selected from atleast one of a lease agreement, a finance purchase agreement, and anoutright purchase agreement.
 3. A method as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising the step of making an agreement with the first person,wherein the agreement provides that the supplier will offer the firstperson the second product.
 4. A method as recited in claim 3, whereinthe agreement further provides a time period within which the supplierwill transmit the offer to the first person.
 5. A method as recited inclaim 3, wherein the agreement further provides a description of thesecond product that the supplier will offer to the first person.
 6. Amethod as recited in claim 3, wherein the agreement further providesthat the first person will obtain the second product for an amount equalto a cost of the second product minus a fair market value of the firstproduct.
 7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the agreementfurther provides that the fair market value of the first product will bedetermined by a third party.
 8. A method as recited in claim 7, whereinthe third party is the supplier.
 9. A method as recited in claim 1,wherein the data that relates to the first product is selected from atleast one of a manufacturer, physical characteristics, model, andproduct identifier of the first product.
 10. A method as recited inclaim 1, wherein the data that identifies the first person is selectedfrom at least one of a name, address, telephone number, e-mail address,and identification number of the first person.
 11. A method as recitedin claim 1, wherein the first and second products are selected from atleast one of goods and services.
 12. A method as recited in claim 1,wherein the second person has access to the data that relates to thefirst product.
 13. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprisingthe step of storing data relating to an inventory of products from whichthe first person may select the second product.
 14. A method as recitedin claim 13, wherein the data relating to the inventory of productscomprises data identifying a variety of new products.
 15. A method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the step of searching comprises the step ofevaluating the availability of the first product.
 16. A method asrecited in claim 15, wherein the availability of the first product isaffected by at least one of (i) an agreement between the supplier andthe first person that describes a time period within which the firstperson may be contacted in order to receive the offer, (ii) theavailability of the second product, and (iii) the cost of the secondproduct.
 17. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the offer to thefirst person further provides that the first person can obtain thesecond product for an amount equal to a cost of the second product minusa fair market value of the first product.
 18. A method as recited inclaim 17, wherein the offer to the first person further provides thatthe fair market value of the first product is to be determined by athird party.
 19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the thirdparty is the supplier.
 20. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein theoffer includes an amount the first person is to pay for the secondproduct, and wherein the amount is equal to the difference between acost associated with the second product and a cost associated with thefirst product.
 21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the amountthe first person is to pay for the second product is affected by aproduct variable selected from at least one of the condition of thefirst product, the availability of the second product, and the price ofthe second product.
 22. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein theoffer to the first person further provides a selection of products fromwhich the first person can choose the second product.
 23. A method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the first product includes more than oneproduct.
 24. A system for a supplier to offer a second product to afirst person, comprising: a memory for storing data relating to a firstproduct that has been provided to the first person and data identifyingthe first person; and a processor in communication with the memory,wherein the processor is programmed to store the data relating to thefirst product and the data identifying the first person in the memory;receive an inquiry relating to the first product from a second person;search, based on the inquiry, the memory to determine whether the datarelating to the first product is stored therein; and transmit, from thesupplier and to the first person based on the data identifying the firstperson, an offer to exchange the first product for a second product. 25.A system as recited in claim 24, wherein the processor is furtherprogrammed to receive data relating to an agreement between the supplierand the first purchaser, the agreement relating to the providing of thefirst product to the first person, wherein the agreement is selectedfrom at least one of a lease agreement, a finance purchase agreement,and an outright purchase agreement.
 26. A system as recited in claim 24,wherein the processor is further programmed to receive data relating toan agreement between the supplier and the first purchaser, wherein theagreement provides that the supplier is to offer the first person thesecond product.
 27. A system as recited in claim 26, wherein theagreement further provides a time period within which the supplier willtransmit the offer to the first person.
 28. A system as recited in claim26, wherein the agreement further provides a description of the secondproduct that the supplier will offer to the first person.
 29. A systemas recited in claim 26, wherein the agreement further provides that thefirst person will obtain the second product for an amount equal to acost of the second product minus a fair market value of the firstproduct.
 30. A system as recited in claim 29, wherein the agreementfurther provides that the fair market value of the first product is tobe determined by a third party.
 31. A system as recited in claim 30,wherein the third party is the supplier.
 32. A system as recited inclaim 24, wherein the data that relates to the first product is selectedfrom at least one of a manufacturer, physical characteristics, model,and product identifier of the first product.
 33. A system as recited inclaim 24, wherein the data that identifies the first person is selectedfrom at least one of a name, address, telephone number, e-mail address,and product identifier of the first person.
 34. A system as recited inclaim 24, wherein the first and second products are selected from atleast one of goods and services.
 35. A system as recited in claim 24,wherein the second person has access to the data that relates to thefirst product.
 36. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein theprocessor is further programmed to store data relating to an inventoryof products from which the first person may select the second product.37. A system as recited in claim 36, wherein the data relating to theinventory of products comprises data identifying a variety of newproducts.
 38. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein the processor isfurther programmed to evaluate the availability of the first product.39. A system as recited in claim 38, wherein the availability of thefirst product is affected by at least one of (i) an agreement betweenthe supplier and the first person that describes a time period withinwhich the first person may be contacted in order to receive the offer,(ii) the availability of the second product, and (iii) the cost of thesecond product.
 40. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein the offerto the first person further provides that the first person can obtainthe second product for an amount equal to a cost of the second productminus a fair market value of the first product.
 41. A system as recitedin claim 40, wherein the offer to the first person further provides thatthe fair market value of the first product is to be determined by athird party.
 42. A system as recited in claim 41, wherein the thirdparty is the supplier.
 43. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein theoffer includes an amount the first person is to pay for the secondproduct, and wherein the amount is equal to the difference between acost associated with the second product and a cost associated with thefirst product.
 44. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein the offer tothe first person further provides a selection of products from which thefirst person can choose the second product.
 45. A system as recited inclaim 24, wherein the first product is more than one product.
 46. Amethod for a first person to acquire a second product from a supplier,comprising: obtaining a first product; transmitting, via a network, datato the supplier including a description of the first product and adescription of the first person; and receiving an offer to exchange thefirst product for a second product from the supplier, wherein the offeris a result of an inquiry by a second person to the supplier for thefirst product.
 47. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein the step ofobtaining the first product comprises the step of receiving the firstproduct from the supplier and making a related agreement with thesupplier, wherein the agreement is selected from at least one of a leaseagreement, a finance purchase agreement, and an outright purchaseagreement.
 48. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein the step ofobtaining the first product comprises the step of receiving the firstproduct from the supplier and making a related agreement with thesupplier, the agreement providing that the supplier will offer the firstperson the second product.
 49. A method as recited in claim 48, whereinthe agreement further provides a time period within which the supplierwill transmit the offer to the first person.
 50. A method as recited inclaim 48, wherein the agreement further provides a description of thesecond product that the supplier will offer to the first person.
 51. Amethod as recited in claim 48, wherein the agreement further providesthat the first person will obtain the second product for an amount equalto a cost of the second product minus a fair market value of the firstproduct.
 52. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein the agreementfurther provides that the fair market value of the first product will bedetermined by a third party.
 53. A method as recited in claim 52,wherein the third party is the supplier.
 54. A method as recited inclaim 46, wherein the description of the first product is selected fromat least one of a manufacturer, physical characteristics, model, andproduct identifier of the first product.
 55. A method as recited inclaim 46, wherein the description of the first person is selected fromat least one of the name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, andproduct identifier of the first person.
 56. A method as recited in claim46, wherein the first and second products are selected from at least oneof goods and services.
 57. A method as recited in claim 46, furthercomprising the step of searching data relating to an inventory ofproducts from which the first person may select the second product. 58.A method as recited in claim 57, wherein the data relating to theinventory of products comprises data identifying a variety of newproducts.
 59. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein the offer for thesecond product from the supplier further provides that the first personwill obtain the second product for an amount equal to a cost of thesecond product minus a fair market value of the first product.
 60. Amethod as recited in claim 59, wherein the offer for the second productfrom the supplier further provides that the fair market value of thefirst product will be determined by a third party.
 61. A method asrecited in claim 60, wherein the third party is the supplier.
 62. Amethod as recited in claim 46, wherein the offer for the second productfrom the supplier further provides a selection of products from whichthe first person can choose the second product.
 63. A method as recitedin claim 46, wherein the offer includes an amount the first person is topay for the second product, and wherein the amount is equal to thedifference between a cost associated with the second product and a costassociated with the first product.
 64. A method as recited in claim 63,wherein the amount the first person is to pay for the second product isaffected by a product variable selected from at least one of thecondition of the first product, the availability of the second product,and the price of the second product.
 65. A method as recited in claim46, further comprising the step of accepting the offer from the supplierand selecting a preference for the second product.
 66. A method asrecited in claim 46, wherein the first product is more than one product.67. A method for a supplier to offer a second product to a first person,comprising: receiving a request from the first person for a firstproduct; providing the first person the first product; storing datarelating to the first product and data identifying the first person in amemory of a computer; receiving an inquiry relating to the first productfrom a second person; searching, based on the inquiry, the memory todetermine whether the data relating to the first product is storedtherein; and transmitting, from the supplier and to the first personbased on the data identifying the first person, an offer to exchange thefirst product for a second product.
 68. A method as recited in claim 67,further comprising the step of the supplier making an agreement with thefirst person, the agreement relating to the providing of the firstproduct to the first person, wherein the agreement is selected from atleast one of a lease agreement, a finance purchase agreement, and anoutright purchase agreement.
 69. A method as recited in claim 67,further comprising the step of making an agreement with the firstperson, wherein the agreement provides that the supplier will offer thefirst person the second product.
 70. A method as recited in claim 69,wherein the agreement further provides a time period within which thesupplier will transmit the offer to the first person.
 71. A method asrecited in claim 69, wherein the agreement further provides adescription of the second product that the supplier will offer to thefirst person.
 72. A method as recited in claim 69, wherein the agreementfurther provides that the first person will obtain the second productfor an amount equal to a cost of the second product minus a fair marketvalue of the first product.
 73. A method as recited in claim 72, whereinthe agreement further provides that the fair market value of the firstproduct will be determined by a third party.
 74. A method as recited inclaim 73, wherein the third party is the supplier.
 75. A method asrecited in claim 67, wherein the data that relates to the first productis selected from at least one of a manufacturer, physicalcharacteristics, model, and product identifier of the first product. 76.A method as recited in claim 67, wherein the data that identifies thefirst person is selected from at least one of a name, address, telephonenumber, e-mail address, and product identifier of the first person. 77.A method as recited in claim 67, wherein the first and second productsare selected from at least one of goods and services.
 78. A method asrecited in claim 67, wherein the second person has access to the datathat relates to the first product.
 79. A method as recited in claim 67,further comprising the step of storing data relating to an inventory ofproducts from which the first person may select the first product.
 80. Amethod as recited in claim 79, wherein the data relating to theinventory of products comprises data identifying a variety of newproducts.
 81. A method as recited in claim 67, further comprising thestep of storing data relating to an inventory of products from which thefirst person may select the second product.
 82. A method as recited inclaim 81, wherein the data relating to the inventory of productscomprises data identifying a variety of new products.
 83. A method asrecited in claim 67, wherein the step of searching comprises the step ofevaluating the availability of the first product.
 84. A method asrecited in claim 83, wherein the availability of the first product isaffected by at least one of (i) an agreement between the supplier andthe first person that describes a time period within which the firstperson may be contacted in order to receive the offer, (ii) theavailability of the second product, and (iii) the cost of the secondproduct.
 85. A method as recited in claim 67, wherein the offer to thefirst person further provides that the first person can obtain thesecond product for an amount equal to a cost of the second product minusa fair market value of the first product.
 86. A method as recited inclaim 85, wherein the offer to the first person further provides thatthe fair market value of the first product is to be determined by athird party.
 87. A method as recited in claim 86, wherein the thirdparty is the supplier.
 88. A method as recited in claim 67, wherein theoffer includes an amount the first person is to pay for the secondproduct, and wherein the amount is equal to the difference between acost associated with the second product and a cost associated with thefirst product.
 89. A method as recited in claim 88, wherein the amountthe first person is to pay for the second product is affected by aproduct variable selected from at least one of the condition of thefirst product, the availability of the second product, and the price ofthe second product.
 90. A method as recited in claim 67, wherein theoffer to the first person further provides a selection of products fromwhich the first person can choose the second product.
 91. A method asrecited in claim 67, wherein the first product is more than one product.92. A method for a supplier to offer a second product to a first person,comprising: storing data relating to a first product that has beenprovided to the first person and data identifying the first person in amemory of a computer; transmitting, from the supplier and to the firstperson based on the data identifying the first person, an offer toexchange the first product for a second product; searching the memory todetermine whether there is data identifying a second person and dataindicating that the second person may be interested in obtaining thefirst product; and transmitting, from the supplier and to the secondperson based on the data identifying the second person, an offer for thefirst product.
 93. A method as recited in claim 92, further comprisingthe step of the supplier making an agreement with the first person, theagreement relating to the providing of the first product to the firstperson, wherein the agreement is selected from at least one of a leaseagreement, a finance purchase agreement, and an outright purchaseagreement.
 94. A method as recited in claim 92, further comprising thestep of making an agreement with the first person, wherein the agreementprovides that the supplier will offer the first person the secondproduct.
 95. A method as recited in claim 94, wherein the agreementfurther provides a time period within which the supplier will transmitthe offer to the first person.
 96. A method as recited in claim 94,wherein the agreement further provides a description of the secondproduct that the supplier will offer to the first person.
 97. A methodas recited in claim 94, wherein the agreement further provides that thefirst person will obtain the second product for an amount equal to acost of the second product minus a fair market value of the firstproduct.
 98. A method as recited in claim 97, wherein the agreementfurther provides that the fair market value of the first product will bedetermined by a third party.
 99. A method as recited in claim 98,wherein the third party is the supplier.
 100. A method as recited inclaim 92, wherein the data that relates to the first product is selectedfrom at least one of a manufacturer, physical characteristics, model,and product identifier of the first product.
 101. A method as recited inclaim 92, wherein the data that identifies the first person is selectedfrom at least one of a name, address, telephone number, e-mail address,and product identifier of the first person.
 102. A method as recited inclaim 92, wherein the first and second products are selected from atleast one of goods and services.
 103. A method as recited in claim 92,wherein the second person has access to the data that relates to thefirst product.
 104. A method as recited in claim 92, further comprisingthe step of storing data relating to an inventory of products from whichthe first person may select the second product.
 105. A method as recitedin claim 104, wherein the data relating to the inventory of productscomprises data identifying a variety of new products.
 106. A method asrecited in claim 92, wherein the offer to the first person furtherprovides that the first person can obtain the second product for anamount equal to a cost of the second product minus a fair market valueof the first product.
 107. A method as recited in claim 106, wherein theoffer to the first person further provides that the fair market value ofthe first product is to be determined by a third party.
 108. A method asrecited in claim 107, wherein the third party is the supplier.
 109. Amethod as recited in claim 92, wherein the offer includes an amount thefirst person is to pay for the second product, and wherein the amount isequal to the difference between a cost associated with the secondproduct and a cost associated with the first product.
 110. A method asrecited in claim 109, wherein the amount the first person is to pay forthe second product is affected by a product variable selected from atleast one of the condition of the first product, the availability of thesecond product, and the price of the second product.
 111. A method asrecited in claim 92, wherein the offer to the first person furtherprovides a selection of products from which the first person can choosethe second product.
 112. A method as recited in claim 92, wherein thefirst product includes more than one product.